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A visit to the National Capital is b2ii half made unless it includes the 
home and tovib of ;/^rtJ/^^V^^^'(7«.— Everett. 



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WASHINGTON, D. C. 
PRICE, 25 CTS. 



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Yi^itoi^^' G^nide to >Iouiit ^i^rt^^^^'^ 






An extensive traveller and witty friend of the writer 
sweepiugly declares that "Guide-books contain everything 
which one does not wish to know." 

With the hope that the brevity of the following pages will' 
save this little Guide from even the suspicion of conveying 
undesirable information, the possessor is respectfully invited 
to peruse it first, dnd render judgment afterwards. 

It is designed simply as a practical assistant to the visitor 
to Mount Vernon, all merely patriotic or poetic sentimentality 
being purposely avoided. * * * 




The Tomb or Washington. 



MOUNT VERNON 



1 



The home of Washmgton, is situated on the right bank 
of the Potomac, 17 miles south of the Capital, and may 
be approached by land or water. Former^, in cool au- 
tumn weather, it was a pleasant drive thither from Wash- 
ington, across the famous Long Bridge, via the interest- 
ing old city of Alexandria, which, in the solemn silence 
of its deserted streets and w^arehouses, and with its many 
dilapidated, moss-covered buildings, reminds the travel- 
ler of cities in foreign lands. From Alexandria, (about 
midway,) the road runs partly over what once constitu- 
ted the Washington Estate, a princely domain of 8,000 
acres. But now a grave objection to this drive arises 
from its proximity to the railroad, and the frequency of 
the trains, between Washington and Alexandria. How^- 
ever, very few persons take this route, for daily, (Sundays 
excepted,) at 10 a. m., a pleasant and commodious 
Steamer leaves the Seventh-street wharf for Mount 
Vernon and returns in the afternoon about 4 o'clock, 
enabling visitors to pass several hours among the his- 
toric associations of the resting-place of Washington, 
and, if desirable, to make connection with the evening 
trains leaving the Capital. 

This steamer is under the command of Capt. L. L. 
Blake, a most agreeable, efficient, and considerate officer 
— a gentleman who neglects nothing needful for the com- 
fort or that may add to the pleasure of the passengers. 

The number of persons who take this trip during 



the year is very great, coming from every State of the 
EepubHc and from all civilized portions of the world. 
Even the Indian delegations are unwilling to pass before 
the iron door of the Tomb without pushing their tawny 
hands through the iron bars and pronouncing in sol- 
emn dignity the characteristic salutation, " How ! " 

Leaving the Capital, the first object upon the left 
bank of the Potomac is the 

UNITED STATES ARSENAL, 

the grounds of which are beautiful and well-kept. In 
1864 an explosion of cartridges and signal-rockets in 
the workshop instantly killed seventeen young girls, 
to whose memory a handsome monument was erected 
in the Congressional Cemetery, by the citizens of Wash- 
ington. A sadder tragedy even than this casts its 
shadow here— the culminating horror of the assassina- 
tion of President Lincoln. 

Just across the Eastern Branch, which flows into 
the Potomac below the Arsenal, is the 

GOVERNMENT INSANE HOSPITAL ; 

and on the Virginia shore, not far distant, the Fairfax 
Theological Seminary forms a prominent feature of 
the landscape. This is often mistaken for ''Fairfax 
Court-house," which, though near, is not visible from 
the river. 



5 

Below the junction, on the Maryland side, is 

GIESBOEO' POINT, 

famous, during the late war, as a Government corral 
for horses. A little beyond are the Naval Powder-Mag- 
azines, which were removed from the vicinity of the 
city in consequence of the danger to the Capitol in the 
event of an explosion. Below Giesboro' Point is the 
river terminus of the extension of the Baltimore and 
Ohio R.R. The first landing is at the town of 

ALEXANDRIA, 

where the old-style spire of " Christ Church," of which 
Washington was so long a vestryman, is readily iden- 
tified. - On one of the principal streets leading from 
the river is a large hotel ; part of the rear of this 
building, a low section, with three dormer windows, is 
the old " Carey House," which was occupied as the 

HEADQUARTERS OF GEN. BRADDOCK. 

The room in which Col. George Washington made 
his last appeal to Braddock to forego the civilized 
methods of warfare in his projected battle Avith the 
Indians before the disastrous engagement of Monon- 
gahela, 1755, remains unchanged, and is well worth a 
visit. In this neighborhood is the " Marshall House," 
rebuilt upon the site of the one in which Col. Ellsworth 
was shot in 1801. 



6 

A short distance from Alexandria, at the mouth of 

Hunting Creek, is 

JONES' POINT, 

where a Government light-house was established a few 
years before the war. 

The second landing is at 

FORT FOOT, 

a strong earth-work, constructed during the war. 

FORT WASHINGTON 

is the last landing made before reaching Mount Vernon, 
and is just four miles distant therefrom. 

Fort Washington was first called Warburton, and 
its availability as a point of fortification was suggested 
to General Washington as he viewed the elevated spot 
from the eastern portico of his home, about the year 
1790. It was blown up and abandoned in 1814 by our 
own forces, when the British troops passed up the 
river and captured Alexandria. From Fort Washing- 
ton is had a fine view of the Capitol, the grand Dome 
seeming to touch the sky. It was here that an Indian 
was so impressed by the beauty of that wonder of 
architecture that he exclaimed : " White man did not 
build it ; God made it !" 



7 
From the same point we obtain our first glimpse of 

MOUNT VERNON. 

The Mansion House looks quite stately from the 
river ; being situated about two hundred feet above the 
water, its general effect is never disappointing. Im- 
mediately under the bluff upon which the Mansion 
stands is the reservation of five acres, which was for- 
merly used as a Deer Park. There is a proposal to re- 
establish this Park, and a gentleman from Virginia has 
generously offered to stock it with deer. This, with 
many other restorations and improvements, is only a 
question of time. On the river front of the Deer Park 
is a landing of historic interest. The commander of a 
British vessel during the Revolution sent a boat's crew 
ashore and demanded provisions, threatening in event 
of refusal to burn the Mansion. The frightened over- 
seer complied with the demand, thus preventing the 
destructian of the house ; but Washington wrote him 
a letter of reproof, which is still on record, ordering, 
in case of another attack, '' to let everything be burned 
rather than give aid or comfort to the enemy." The 
main part of the wharf was constructed by Washing- 
ton, but it has been extended in consequence of the 
increasing shallowness of the river. From this wharf 
he used to load his barges with flour ground at his own 
mill, the famous brand, " George Washington, Mount 



8 



Vei-BOB," being so favorably known at the eustonJ 
houses as to pass without inspection I 

Superintendent, and proceed up a gentle acclivity to | 

THE TOMB 

rol s aT^ °' u' countrynien," To the left of the 
load IS a high, well-wooded hill-side abounding in trail 

paa, extending beyond the house. About half 4ay 
P, in a small ravine, are several weeping willows 
bi^ught froin the grave of Napoleon, at St. Hele a 

Washinin, SX^^^^'' '''^"''' "" ''''''' °^ 

'• WA.SHIXGT0N, THE FKIEND OF LiBEETY, IS DEAD ! " 

^alt phed prints, to every school-boy in the land It 
oT: ^;:"^ ''r''"°i°"" o.ecutors, a„d in pursuance 

s vLo b iT T" -^-'^"-t-^ «- location, and 

s..jmg. It shall be built of brick." The front of the 

hb s "\^"*^.%^b°^<^ -Wch, upon a plain marble 
siciD, IS tins inscrij3tion : 

"Within THIS enclosuee eest the remains of 
' General George Washington. " 



' 9 

The anteroom ' to tlie vault is CLbont twelve feet 
i square, and here are seen the sarcophagi ; the one on 
i' the right containing the remains of General Washing- 
' ton, and that on the left, those of Martha, his wife. 
I In the vault at the rear repose about thirty of the 
. family relatives — Washiiigtons, Blackburns. Corbins, 
iBushrods, Lewises, and Custises. 

'. To this vault the body of Washington was removed 
;in 1831, in consequence of a general feeling of inse- 
curitv, a man havino" broken into the old tomb and 
stolen a slaill, which he claimed to be that of Wash- 
I ington, but which proved to be of one of the Blackburn 
I family. 

I In the winter of 1832, Congress, for the second time, 
made an effort to effect the removal of Washington's 
body, and in this instance, to the chamber under the 
crypt of the Capitol, originally designfed for its sepul- 
chre. 

Adams, Clay, Webster, Thomas, and even Wash- 
ington's venerable biographer, Chief-Justice Marshall, 
earnestly endeavored to secure its removal, the cen- 
tennial anniversary of Washington's birth being se- 
lected for the solemn occasion. Tlie family how- 
ever, was firm in refusal through respect for the well- 
known wish of the illustrious dead. The body was 
placed in the sarcophagus where it now rests, on the 
Ttli of October, 1837. The door of the inner vault was 
then closed, and the key throwai into the Potomac. 



10 

Over tliis door, on a plain tablet, is the inscription, 

"I AM THE Resurrection and the Life. He that 

" believeth in me, though he were dead, 

"yet shall he live." 

The sarcophagus of Mrs. Washington is perfectly 
plain, with the simple words, 

MARTHA, 

Consort of AVashington. 
Died May 21st, 1801 ; Aged 71 years. 

The sarcophagus of Washington is also plain, being 
ornamented only with the United States coat of arms, 
upon a drained flag, under which is the single word, 

Washington. 

One of the talons of the eagle, in the coat of arms, 
was broken off during the civil war by some eager 
relic-hunter, which incident suggested the outer and 
higher gate. This was the only outrage committed at 
Mount Vernon, though the unarmed pickets of both 
armies often met before the tomb — here, and here only, 
met as brothers. At the servants' request they left 
their arms at whatever point they entered the sacred 
domain, which was frequently three-quarters of a mile 
away, at the old Porter's Lodge. 

THE OLD TOMB. 

The original Tomb of Washington is seen to the 



11 



ight of the path to the house, and is surrounded by a 
black raihng. This spot commands an extended view 
of the river, and has not the sechided quiet of the one 
now occupied, which may have been the reason why 
AVashington desired the removal of the family vault. 

''WASHINGTON OAK." 

There stands near the path to the house a magnifi- 
cent primitive oak, measuring twelve feet in circum- 
ference. Its wide shelter was a favorite resting-place 
of the retired chieftain, on returning from the wharf, 
where he was in the habit of personally superintendiDg 
the loading of his barges. The "Washington Oak" 
lost some of its glory in a severe storm, but its. 
new growth is rapid and very beautiful. 

OLD BRICK BARN. 

The first building reached after the ascent is a large 
old barn, erected in 1733 by Lawrence Washington, the 
brother from whom W;ishington inherited this estate. 
This commodious structure was built of bricks 
brought from England. It has recently been re-roofed, 
and is in a perfect state of preservation. It will well 
repay a few moments of attention, as showing that 
the gentlemen of the '' old school " were not far behind 
the present time in their ideas of shelter, and that "a 
merciful man is ever merciful to his ber.st." 



12 
MANSION-HOUSE. 

TheMansiou-Honse is a wooden structure, the sidino-s 
of which are cut and painted to resemble stone. The 
central and main part was built by Lawrence Washino-- 
ton m 1743, and he called it "Mount Vernon," after 
Ills highly-esteemed superior officer in the British navy 
the gallant Admiral Vernon. The corner-stone, with thd 
initials " L. W.," the date, and Masonic emblems, may be 
seen m the cellar. This cellar is yery ample, constructed 
according to the old-fashioned ideas of durability, and 
there seems no reason, with such a substantial founda- 
tion, why the building should not stand five hundre.I 
jears, as well as one. 

The parts of the house known as the North and 
South extensions were added by General Washington 
1784- 5. The residence, as left by Lawrence Washino-- 
ton, had been termed a -villa ;" as enlarged, with exten- 
sions, colonnades in front and back, by George Wash- 
ington, It was dignified as a "Mansion-House." Its 
length is ninety-six feet and its depth thirty feet. 

COLONNADES. 

The east piazza, or colonnade, extends the entire 
front of the house. It is fifteen feet wide and twenty- ' 
£ye feet high. Eight large square pillars support the 
roof, which is ornamented by a balustrade. It is paved 
with flags, brought from the Isle of Wight, which are 



13 

twelve iBclies square and two and a half inches thick. 
The curved colonnades on the west side are covered- 
ways leading from the extensions to the kitchen on 
one side, and on the other side to a house used by the 
head cook, and also affording accommodations for a 

clerk 

KEY OF THE BASTILE. 

Entering the main hall from the east colonnade, the 
first object of interest is the "Key of the Bastile," 
which hangs in a glass casket on the south wall, where 
it was placed by General Washington's own hand on 
the nail from which it has never been removed. 

This emblem of oppression was presented to the 
^'oTcat friend of Liberty" by Lafayette, immediately 
after the destruction of the Bastile, 1789, a compliment 
highly prized by Washington. In writing of it, the 
Marquis said : " It is a tribute which I owe as a son to 
my adopted father ; as an aide-de-camp to my general ; 
as a missionary of hberty to its patriarch." 

This souvenir was confided to the care of that staunch 
republican, Thomas Paine, who, being detained in 
London, consigned it to another person, together with 
a drawing of the Bastile, which had been ordered by 
Lafayette just previous to his command to demolish the 
old prison. Paine, in writing to Washington, very 
happily says : " That the principles of America opened 
the Bastile is not to be doubted ; and, therefore, the 
key comes to the right place." 



14 

BEACKETS, KNOCKER, &c. 

On the north side of the hall are two ornamental 
amp bracke s. Above the door of the east parlor Te 
the .ron hooks upon which rested the favorite spy-gl' 
.of ^Vashmgton, used by him in his earliest sarvets of 

aref '^Tr'' ""?"'" '*"' *'^™"»"'^°"' '- -i^^t-T 
sSn^ of V •'™"*. ^^ooa-.,oA .vainscotings and de- 
signs of cornice and ceiling of this hall and the two 

house-will attract general attention 

The ponderous old brass knocker on the west door 
of the hall, which has been lifted by so many illustdou 
guests preseuts a dignified individuality, markeX n 
contrast with the giddy, jingling bell of modern times 

EAST PARLOR. 

JL'^X'Tr'V' " ^"'■^•^ §''"«^ "^'^ °f interesting 
lel cs, which, being labeled, tell their own special tales 

Conspicuous a™ong them is the first cast of Washil 

battt ' ^ T '""' '''""' frig-Wened than ever in 

battle, as he declared he liad never been in so muc 
danger from an enemy's ball as from that ordeal. 

The large globe in this room was the property of 
Washington. The side-board is one of the Sna 
pieces of furniture used by Lawrence Washingtoi Td 
was returned to Mount Vernon a few years afoT^ the 



15 

late Mrs. Eobert E. Lee, who was the daughter of G. 
W. P. Custis, the adopted sou of Washiugtou. 

From the east parlor, the uorth extensiou is en- 
tered. This is the old 

STATE DINING-EOOM, 

and for its day was a princely scdon. Lafayette, Eoch- 
ambeau, Hamilton, Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Eichard 
Henry Lee, Elkauah Watson, Aaron Burr, Houdon, 
Charles Wilson Peale, the artists Trumbull and Pine, 
and many of the grea,t Generals of the Eevolutiou, hon- 
ored it with their presence. The high ceihng is white, 
and stuccoed with agricultural designs. An elaborately 
carved mantel-piece of Carrara marble, with Sienna 
marble columns, is the chief oa^nament of this room. It 
was wrought in Italy, and presented to Washington by 
Mr. Samuel Yaughan, an Enghsh gentleman. On its 
passage hither it fell into the hands of French pirates, 
who, upon discovering that it was intended for George 
Washington, sent it uninjured to its destination. It 
has received less respectful treatment from unknown 

LAND PIEATES, 

for its dehcately-carved figures and ornaments have 
been mutilated and broken by rehc-hunters. Strange 
to say, this and other kinds of reckless desecration 
are constantly indulged in by persons who visit Mount 



10 



Vernou, in spite of the watchful care of the Superin- 
tendent and his associates. 

In front of the mantel, in a large glass-case, with 
heavy silver mountings, is a 

MODEL OF THE BASTILE, 

cut from one of the granite stones of the demolished 
prison— a recent contribution. The harpsichord, Wash- 
mgton's bridal present to Eleanor Custis, still stands 
m this room. It was considered a very elegant article 
of furniture nearly a century ago, and cost a thousand 
dollars. The stiff chairs, the stately sofa, and the slim- 
legged side-table comprise about all of the original fur- 
niture. The large plain chaii', kept in this room, and 
m which Washington preferred to sit, came over in the 
Mayflower. On the mantel once stood three rare por- 
celain vases, made in India, and ornamented in London, 
which were sent to Washington by the same gentleman 
who presented the mantel-piece. They are now in the 
Patent Office. 

It would be a satisfaction to visitors if these and 
other articles of furniture and ornament could be re- 
stored to their places in the Mansion. 

The fine specimen of sea-weed on the mantel has 
been there at least half a century, having been placed 
m its present position by John Augustine Washington. 
The hquor-case in this room was presented by Lord 
Fairfax, between whom and Washington there existed 



17 

a peculiar friendship. Washiugton was only sixteen 
years old when he received a commission from Lord 
Fairfax, Avho was quite an old man, to make surveys of 
his property beyond the Blue Ridge. The young sur- 
veyor was so successful in this undertaking that he 
shorth^ afterwards received the appointment of Public 
Survej^or. 

The military equipments, holsters, etc., w^ere those 
used by Washington in Braddock's campaign. Over 
the mantel is a fine copy of Stuart's Washington, and 
on the east wall a copy of Trumbull's portrait, repre- 
senting him in uniform, both pictures being the work 
of Lambdin, a Philadelphia artist. Beneath the latter 
hangs a frame containing an admirable eulogy, two 
copies of which were presented very recently to the 
ladies of the Association bv Gen. Robert C. Schenck. 

'• This tribute to the memory of George Washington 
was written at his grave in 1833 by Dr. Andrew Eeed, 
an English philanthropist, and left by him with the 
ladies of the General's family. Dr. Reed asks: 'How- 
could the people suffer Mount Vernon to pass into 
ruin ? Surely it is a thing impossible I' " 

W^ASHINGTON, 

The Brave, The Wise, the Good ; 

Washington, 

Supreme in War, in Council, and in Peace ; 



18 

Washington, 

Valiant Discreet Confident 

without without without 

Ambition ; Fear ; Presumption ; 

Washington, 

In Disaster, Cahn ; In Success, Moderate ; In All, 

Himself ; 

Washington, 

The Hero, The Patriot, The Christian ; 
The Father of Nations, The Friend of Mankind ; 

who, 

When he had won all, renounced all, 

and sought. 

In the Bosom of his Family and of Nature, 

Retirement, 
And in the Hope of Religion, 
Immortality. 
On the west side of the room is the famous eques- 
trian portrait of Washington, by Rembrandt Peale, 
known as 

"WASHINGTON BEFORE YORKTOWN," 

which was presented to the ladies of the " Mount Ver- 
non Association " in June, 1873, by the heirs of that 
distinguished artist. It is a rich possession and a very 
elegant contribution. No other picture of the great 
man elicited so much approval from his contemporaries, 



19 

and . this valuable canvas could not be placed amid 
more harmonious associations. It is exceedingly well 
colored, and the drawing is full of vigor and grace. It 
presents the Captain in the zenith of his glory, and at 
a moment when all the force of the commander is called 
forth in the act of rebuking a subordinate for perilous 
neglect of duty. The accompanying portraits of Ham- 
ilton, Lafayette, Knox, Lincoln, and Eochambeau 
greatly enhance this picture. The elegant walnut 
frame of this painting was made from a tree grown 
upon the farm of Robert Morris, the financier of the 
Revolution. 

THE WEST PARLOR 

contains one of the original large mirrors, several steel 
engravings, and over the mantel-piece a panel picture 
of Admiral Vernon's engagement before Carthagena. 
This is sadly discolored by age, and a piece has been 
torn from the corner, (by a looman, I am sorry to say,) 
but the fragment was recovered, and it is hoped that 
the painting- can be restored. In this room is a col- 
ored plate of the Washington family coat of arms, with 
complete heraldic explanation ; which coat of arms 
also appears on the c^t-iron back of each fireplace. 

SELECTION OF ROOMS BY THE ORIGINAL 
THIRTEEN STATES. 

This room (the west parlor) has been selected, but 



20 

not as yet furnisliecl, by the State of Connecticat 
Jiach of the original thirteen States has the privileo-e 
of selecting a room and placing in it whatever memen- 
tos or furniture may be contributed from that State 
as having historic association. This opens a repository 
for valuable relics, and places them where they will be 
well cared for, and more generally seen than else- 
where ; besides giving additional interest to the old 
home of Washington. Each State will have its coat 
of arms above the door of the room selected by it. 
The first door on the south side leads to the 

FAMILY DININQ.j^oOM, 

now used as a general reception-room. The only in- 
teresting relic here is an old mirror, the companion of 
the one hanging in the west parlor. There is a fine 
engravmg of " Washington, on the field of Trenton 
returning a salute," which was executed by Wm. Holl. 
from the painting by John Faed; also several small 
pictures and two very fine medallion engravings of 
General and Mrs. Washington, after Stuart's portraits. 
These were presented by Edward Everett to Miss 
Cunningham, the first regent, and a daughter of the 
"Matron of South Carolina," who, in conjunction with 
Mr. Everett, first awakened an interest in the purchase 
and preservation of Mount Vernon. 
Next east of this is the 



21 
COUNCIL-ROOM, 

Washington's former study or libra^ry, before the ex- 
tension was built. It is probable the description he 
o-ave his brother Lawrence— then in the West Indies— 
of the battle of Monongahelci, was penned in this little 
room. It is a spirited description of a battle, and 
remarkable, as written by one of the chief actors in it, 
without mentioning his own name. It is accepted as 
the only authentic account of that sanguinary engage- 
ment written in America. 

Over the mantel is a portrait of Miss Cunningham 
by Lambdin, and over one of the doors hangs a steel 
engraving of Lord Chatham. Another engraving is 
that of Admiral Vernon, after a painting by T. Bard- 
well. It bears the following quaint inscription : 

" The Honorable Edward Vernon, Esq., Vice-Admi- 
" ral of the Blue. Commander-in-chief of all his Majes- 
" ty's ships in the West Indies." 

•"^ To the Right Honorable Lord Mayor, the Court 
" of Aldermen, and ye Common Council of ye City of 
" London, this plate is humbly dedicated by their most 
'" obedient servant, John Taber." 

The names (with amounts noted) of those who con- 
tributed the sum total of one thousand dollars for the 
restoration of the east colonnade, a few years ago, are 
framed, and hang as a neat memorial upon the walls of 
this room. 



22 



^ It IS the felicitous purpose of the ladies of the Asso- 
ciation that the coats of arms of all the States be 
placed here. SeveraJ have already been sent. The 
great seal of Wisconsin, beautifully carved in wood is 
placed over the south door. Should each State send 
Its requested tribute in a special wood, (of course of 
Its indigenous growth,) carved in the best style, the 
effect, of the diverse and yet harmonious emblems' will 
be unique and beautiful. 

THE LIBRARY. 

Through a small hall, the Library, or south exten- 
sion, IS reached. This room was designed by Washing- 
ton, and is so plain as to seem to have no design at 
all. It is square, and has two large windows opening 
to the floor, which lead to the south portico. This 
portico has very recently been replaced, and so very 
exactly does it resemble an old structure that it is 
thought by many to be the original one. From it a 
fine view is had of the river and the lawn, embracing 
both tombs. 

In the Library is a large case with glass doors, filled 
with Mount Vernon records, which can here be pm-- 
chased, and should be read all over the country in or- 
der that the people may duly comprehend the efforts of 
the energetic ladies who have secured Mount Vernon 
sacred to the memory of Washington forever. 



23 

The Library is deceptive; it is not so meaningless, 
with its simple wainscoting, as it seems. It is a room 
within rooms— in a word, three sides of it are closets ; 
seventeen are known— panel closets for silver, little 
closets in corners near the floor and near the ceiling — 
closets within closets. 

There is none of the original furniture here, and 
nothing of interest save a fine plaster-cast of the head 
of Lafayette, probably a copy of the bust ordered by 
the Virginia Legislature. 178G, from Houdon, to be 
put in the Capitol at Kichmond. 

STAIRWAY. 

The stairway leading from the main hall is broad, 
but severely plain. It is divided into three sections. 
On the first landing is the old hall clock, which stood 
there during Washington's life. 

LAFAYETTE'S ROOM. 

(New Jersey.) 

The first room on the left, opening into the upper 
hall is known as the "Lafayette Room," in honor of 
the IMarquis, who occupied it on both of his visits to 
Mount Yernon. It is chosen and furnished by the 
Vice-Regent of New Jersey for that old State. The 
dressing-case, looking-glass, and bureau were placed 
there when the room was fitted up for its distiu-uished 



24 



occupant ; also, one of the small tables, covered with 
rich silken brocade. The other, beautifully embroid- 
ered with Masonic emblems and the New Jersey coat 
of arms, is more recent. On the dressing-case is a pair 
of antique bronze candlesticks, used by Washino-ton 
at Morristown. There is a very elegant screen, fmme 
of mahogany, and capped with marble, with flutino- of 
dehcate silk. Upon the walls is a small "fruit piece " 
embroidered in silk, a contribution by the descendant 
of the fan' dame who so deftly worked it during 
Kevolutionary years. 

There is an engraving of Stuart's full-length portrait 
of Washington, from the picture which was painted for 
the Marquis of Lansdowne, executed by Ormsbey. 

There is also an engraving by Buttre, after Woolas- 
ton, from the portrait of Martha Washington, known 
as the -Bride of Mount Vernon." It is a wonderfully 
beautiful face, with the well-drawn eyes for which this 
artist was distinguished in his pictures of women, but is 
often criticised because it gives her the effect of being 
a tall woman, by reason of a false perspective of land- 
scape, as she is presented as having just stepped from 
the east colonnade of Mount Vernon. 

A very fine engraving by Lereoux hangs over the 
mantle. It is from the portrait of Lafayette by Ary 
Scheffer. It was taken from that fine portrait of the 
Marquis which his artist friend painted while visiting 



25 

him at La Grange, and presented to the United States 
Government in 1822, and which now hangs in the Hall 
of Representatives. 

The second door is the Pennsylvania Room. The 
furniture herein was all used by Washington. Over 
an old desk hangs an engraving of the sitting statue 
of Washington, ordered by the State of South Caro- 
lina from Canova. Washington is presented in the 
costume of an old Roman, holding in his hand a stone 
tablet, upon which he has begun to inscribe law^s ; and, 
with bared head, he is leaving in the past the chieftain 
and becoming the statesman. 

The inscription is — 

" GioGio AVashington. 
"Alia Grande Nazione degli Stati Uniti di Americo. 

" Antonio Canova." 

The small room on the east front of the hall was se- 
lected by the Vice-Regent of Delaware, and it is fur- 
nished with revolutionary relics. The coat of arms of 
that State is above the door. The coat of arms of 
Maryland, over the door on the south side of the hall, 
indicates what State has chosen this room. It was. 
formerly occupied by Eleanor Custis, and contains the 
same articles of furniture with which it was fitted up 
for that young lady. 



26 



THE ROOM IN WHICH WASHINGTON DIED. 

Passing through a large room, which is to be used as 
a repos,toz7 of relics, and then a small hall, the room 
m which Washington died is reached. It is a medium- 
sized bed-room. On one side is the large fireplace, in 
which IS observed the Washington coat of a.4s. On 
the w^st side is a di-essing-room, and an ample linen 
closet; on he south are two large windows, sliding 
back mto the wall and reaching to the floor They 

tifa"v!fr *""' *°^' °^ *''' ^'°'"'° "'''' "on^n^-nda beaJ- 
The bedstead is a/ae shnUe of that on which the 
hero died, and was often slept upon by him. The one 
which formerly stood here was, it is sakl. cut to bi sT 
ttie .„«« relichunter, and it is a mortifying comment 

reo ir. T "^^^"''" ''-'"" ''^ found absolutely 
leq. isite to haye a guard in this room whenever opened 

Ihere ..re here several stands which were used in 

this room ; and the old bureau, which the zealous public 

bige andn-ons in the old fireplace; and a portrait of 
A\ashi gton, presented by Mrs. Judge Ball, of Vir- 

fvf; tW " t" "°* '''^"'' "" generally accepted 
K ea of that great man. On the wall is an interesting 

on. ".<^7«PaP'^r, published in Alexandria, and the 

o w" itt ™%*!" f^' ~~t of the death 
of ^\ ashington. Its decorous utterances of most pro- 



27 

found grief are quite Addisonian, and are a phase of 
the stilted ceremonial of the times. Virginia has very 
appropriately selected this room in which her greatest 
son died. A small stairway leads to the room above, 
used bv the 

WIDOAY OF WASHINGTON 

from the day of his death until May, 1801, two years 
after, when she, too, died. 

This room has one piece of the original furniture, 
the small plain mahogany wash-stand ; but it has re- 
cently been very elegantly refitted by Mrs. Mitchel, 
Vice-Regent from Wisconsin. Every piece of furniture 
has been reproduced in mahogany. The carpet, which 
was of home manufacture, has been imitated in hand- 
some velvet by the cunning of the best looms of France 
at great cost. The old gay calico bed-hangings are 
copied in softest and most expensive woollen cretonne, 
and lined with rose-colored rep-silk. These hangings 
are finished with fringe and caught with heavy cord and 
tassels ; the -same rich covering of cretonne is on the 
old-style chairs ; the pillow-cases are reproduced with 
an embroidered crest, and the initials, M. W. Upon a 
Bible-stand in the room is the coat of arms, with motto, 
'' E,yUus acta prohatr The same style ebony work- 
box which used to be upon Mrs. AVashington's bureau, 
and a pair of small white French vases, with a simple 



28 

spray of rose-colored hyacinth upon them, which sat 
on either side of the work-box, are reproduced. 

Unring the two years slie survived her beloved hus- 
band the lonely mourner passed most Of her time by 
the window of this room, with often no other compan- 
ion than her pet cat, for the convenience of which a 
corner of the door had been cut off, enabling the dumb 
friend to c'ome and go. There, in a room without fire 
even m winter, but tenderly cared for by domestics! 
she sat by the window, because from it alone could 
she command a view of her noble husbands resting, 
place : ° 

" Gazing through the morning's light 
At noon-tide, looking fondly down— 
1 eering forth in sombre night— 
Or when the leaves are green or brown ; 

^VhZ /r *^^,«^^^^' ««ft shrouds the mound, 
Where lies the sleeper imder ground. " 

" i^r^"'S ^^^^^ longing ever there, with faith 
Ihat m some golden hour, his spirit, robed 
In drapery of light, and winged with love 
Would come to her with blessings in his eves 
And sweetly feed, with old-time Lpturous sSl^s 
Her famished soul. Q wondrous, wondrous itve ' 
Which dieth not with death, nor yet hath life ' 

Save with the living. Thou Mystery of Universe ! " 

CUPOLA. 

There are five small rooms on the third floor, which 
have not yet been selected by States. These rooms 
are halt stories, and are lighted by dormer windows 



29 

From the small square liall is a winding stairway to 
the cupola, which is octagonal. 

The view from this elevation is sweeping and grand. 
The Potomac seems almost to surround the estate in 
its majestic bend. Fort Washington appears to have 
drawn nearer. Looking west, the Virginia hills are 
beautifully defined, and three-quarters of a mile away 
is seen the old porter's lodge, which marks the bound- 
ary of the present estate. Leading to-that, from the 
lawn gate, is an avenue, spoken of by Lossing as be- 
ing a pleasant drive in former days. From this the 
undergrowth has been recently removed and the trees 
trimmed, so as to leave an unobstructed view of the 
lodge ; and it is proposed to soon restore " the pleasant 
drive," by gravelling this avenue. 

WEST LAWN. 
Leavino- the house from the west door, the interest 
that Washington personally bestowed upon domestic 
claims is fully realized. All that could contribute to 
the happiness of his dependants or the pleasure of his 
friends was a matter of conscience with him. Agricul- 
ture in its higher and lower branches was an endless 
source of delight to him. 

From either extension on the west side there is^ a 
curved colonnade ; on the right side is the "Office, a 
house a story and a half high, a room of which was also 



30 
used to cook the great dinners in, as the appliances of 
a large fireplace indicate. On the left side is the family 
kitchen, where the daily meals of the family, white and 
black, were prepared. The immense fireplace, the 
crane, and low Dutch range, show that th^ require- 
ments of the cook were not small or unheeded. In this 
room, (also in tents outside,) a good and a reasonable 
lunch^an be had by all the visitors, while, from a stand 
near the door, views of Mount Ternon are sold. Out- 
side of the kitchen door on the south side is t!>e 
old well, fi-om which it was the pride of - Westford," 
an old body-servantof Washington, to hand to visitors 
a cup of cold water. The last old servitor has long 
smce gone the way of all the earth. Near this side of 
the kitchen is an old "milk-house," "meat-house," and 
laundry, while on the east slope is the site of the 
old "summer-honse." the first "ice-house," with 
•-.sprmg-hoxTse" below. These last three have fa'len 
mto rum, but will doubtless, in course of time be re- 
stored. On the west side of the kitchen is the " but- 
ler s house," at the corner of which stands the famous 
magnolia, (grandiflora,) planted by AVashington +he 
year of his death, 1799. It has attained unusual rro- 
portions for the climate, and yearly puts forth its 
ci-eamy bloom. The leaves of this tree have been 
taken as mementos to every part of the civilized globe 
The west lawn is a driving park, the curved drive 




1^ 






<^M 



West Lawn. 



81 



man. His care of them never fiao-o-prl Ti i "^ 

3^L0WER GARDE>^ 

was flanked by a large orchard °^ "^'^'^ 

in °™? "?■?* ""' '"''' ''''' '^' «^*-"^'^ of the driv- 
"reiy t T; "•'^ *^^"'' °^*^°onal rifle-towers, b"i t 

br snri^ t, / '"'' '§'""^'' ^"**"«' "« thei • em- 
CK^snies for riflemen indicate. 

Four magnificent trees eacli nf ;+„ i • i 
.^^^e entrance to t^; flt e^gSer^ T^i:^ 
;^sh a,Kl two are poplar, or tbe "American tulip-tree " 

ment as to then- relative positions, and have, in a ceu 
tury, done wonderful credit to his care. 



32 

Immediately within the flower garden are four very 
large calycanthus or sweet shrub trees. These were sent 
to Washington by Thomas Jefferson as a great novelty 
in his day. When they were a generation old, John A. 
Washington named them after the four Presidents 
who, in regular rotation, succeeded his illustrious 
uncle— Jefferson, Adams, Madison, and Monroe. 

The flower garden is bordered and divided by hedges 
of box, {huxm suffmticosa,) preserved in the exact 
designs in which they were planted by Washington. 
Some of them seem to have been intended for initials 
of names, and others Masonic emblems. 

On either side of the main walk in this garden is a 
species of hydrangea, which was brought over by 
Lafayette in his visit in 1825, and by him planted m 
his old friend's garden. This came originally from the 
grave of Napoleon. It is a hardy, beautiful flowermg 

shrub. 

Through the garden is scattered a large number of 
rare plants, some very old, and others recently con- 
tributed. 

Mr. W. W. Corcoran, who, as all the world knows, is 
best pleased when doing a good and a graceful thing, 
has given to the Association a large number of rare 
foreign evergreens— Austrian pine, Swiss pine, Norway 
flr, European silver fir, golden arbor vitse; also, a 
handsome variety of rhododendrons from the same firm 



, 33 

in Loiulon wliicli lias received such merited atten- 
tion at the Centennial Exposition. This vakiable 
contribution was planted under the supervision 
of Mr. Wm. Saunders, the eminent horticulturist. 
The garden contains Cape m}^-tles, shrub magnolias, 
century plants, intermixed with more common, mod- 
est flowers, from daisy to lily. Large numbers of 
the " Mary Washington " rose are yearly raised here 
and readily sold, some years as many as three hundred. 
This rose, a seedling raised by General AVashington 
and named for his mother, is delicately tinted, and 
makes a desirable souvenir for the visitor. At the 
end of the central walk is the new greenhouse, built 
and supplied from an appropriation by Congress. This 
stands on the site of the original Washington conser- 
vatory, which was destroyed by lire December, 1835. 
On this disastrous night very few of the rare plants 
were saved, among them a large bearing lemon tree, 
a century plant, and a Sago palm. Of these there only 
can be seen part of the body of the cherished old palm, 
though there is a hardy youwg growth from it. 

In the greenhouse the visitor has opportunity to 
select a remembrance of Mount Vernon, and will 
have the satisfaction of knowing that the small sum re- 
quired for a bouquet or plant goes into the revenue of 
the Association. 



34 

SOUKCES OF KEVENUE. 

" The entrance fee " is one of the chief sources of 
revenue to the Association, and is embraced in the fare 
paid for the trip to and from Mount Vernon. A Hke 
small amount is expected from those who enter the 
Avest lawn, or either side, by land. The greenhouse is 
another important source of revenue. The lunch-table 
adds to the income ; also, the sale of photographic views, 
and of the authenticated " Will of Washington," and 
" The Mount Vernon Record." 

Lossing's handsome volume, " The Home of Wash- 
ington," can be bought here. This work is thus grace- 
fully dedicated by the author : 

"To HIS 

Patriotic Countrywomen, 

BY whose efforts 

The Home and Tomb of WAsmNGTON 

have been rescued from 

Decay." 

Many little incidents detailed in it illustrate the 
domestic character of Washington, and its concise 
descriptions of the manners and customs of a century 
ago are clear and life-like. 

The products of the farm, the raising of fine cattle, 
the cultivation of fruit of all kinds, especially new va- 



35 

rieties, are, more than all other means, relied on to keep 
the estate in the order required by the '' Act to author- 
ize the purchase of Mount Vernon," which act passed 
the Virginia Legislature unanimously, March 17th 
1856. 

The amount paid for the estate of two hundred acres 
was two hundred thousand dollars. 

Of this sum $68,494.59 were contributed by the late 
Hon. Edward Everett, the proceeds of his great lecture 
upon the "Life and Character of Washington," and 
his writings for the Nean York Ledger. 

SUPERINTENDENT. 

The office of Superintendent is by no means a sine- 
cure. Not only the daily reception of guests during 
the year devolves upon this officer, (the number not 
unfrequently as large as two hundred,) but the care of 
the farm, orchard, garden, greenhouse, and all other 
sources of revenue, comes under his personal and re- 
sponsible supervision. The Association may be con- 
gratulated that it enjoys, in its Superintendent's labors, 
the services of a gentleman of urbanity, patience, and 
integrity. 

MT. VERNON'S FUTURE. 

Doubtless the "pilgrimage " to Mount Vernon is yet 
in its incipient state. As the old homestead recovers 



36 
from ite long neglect; as intended restorations and 
snggested improvements are yearly made ; as the coiv 
tributions of interesting relics mnltiply-and especially 
when it becomes generally understood that a clause m 
the act passed by the Virginia Legislature secures this 
spot forever sacred to Washington-wdl the interest 
therein be more enthusiastic and the visitors mcrease. 
Clause 4th of the act is as follows : 
"The said property herein authorized to be pur- 
'" chaed by the said Mount Vernon Lad es' Associa- 
" ton of he Union shall be forever held by it sacred 
" tn he F ther of his Country ; and if, from any cause, 
" he tidfsSdation shall cLse to exist the pi^perty 

» owned by said Association ^'f\^'7'^'^J^;,^Zr 
"monwealth of Virginia, sacred to the puiposes lor 

" which it was originally purchased. 

The sentiment prompting by far the larger number 
to visit the home and tomb of Washington is that of 
reverential admiration for the chief tains life and char- 

THE TOLLING BELL 

of each passing steamer, as "-verberates from hill to 
hill, but re-echoes the voice of all ages and all peo e 
in doing honor to such greatness as is found m the hte 
of George Washington. 

Occasionally the refined are «l'°f f ' y^^^^^^^^^;; 
spoken, would-be witty utterances of the thoughtless 



87 

and the coarse, even upon a spot that should, at least, 
command respectful observance. 

However, this little Guide is not intended to be a 
vehicle of reproof or sentiment, but simply an assistant 
to the visitor, and possibly a Memorial of Moimt Ver- 
non. 

THANKS. 

To "The Southern Matron," and "The Northern 
Orator," first belong thanks unceasing' for the purchase 
and care of the home and tomb of Washington. To 
the Kegents and Vice-Kegents for their unflagging en- 
ergy and devotion is due a second and increasing debt 
of grateful approval. 




POINTS OF INTEREST IN WASHINGTON, D. C. 

Executive Mansion, Pennsylvania Avenue, between 
Fifteenth and Seventeenth sts. 

S'l'ATE Department, Seventeenth si, between F st. 
and New York Avenue. 

Navy Department, Seventeenth st., opposite F st. 

War Department, Seventeenth st., corner Pennsylva- 
nia Avenue. 

Treasury Department, Fifteenth st., corner Pennsyl- 
vania Avenue. 

Interior Department, F st., between Seventh and 
Ninth sts. 

Post-Office Department, E st., between Seventh and 
Eighth sts. 

Department of Justice, Freedman's Bank Building, 
1507 Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Department of Agriculture, on the Island, opposite 
Thirteenth st. 

Bureau of Education, 711 Eighth st., north of Patent 
Office. 

Patent Office, F st., between Seventh and Ninth sts. 



39 

Congressional Pkinting Office, corner N. Capitol and 

NationI^'observatory, E St. north, opposite Twenty- 
third st. west. . T^. 1 4.1 i- 
Navy Yard, on Eastern Branch, foot of Eighth st. 
Arsenal, foot of Four-and-a-half st. west. 
CoAST-SuRYEY BuiLDiNG, New Jcrscy Avenue, south ot 

SMiTHsX^rN Institution, on the Island, opposite Tenth 

st 
Congressional Cemetery, one mile east of Capitol. 

Washington Monument, Fifteenth st 

U. S. Botanic Gardens, between First and Thud sts., 

west. 1 1 i7« 4- 

Masonic Temple, corner Ninth and 1 sts. 
Columbian Institution for the Blind, Kendf Gieen^ 
Providence Hospital, corner Second st. east and D 

st. north. 

Corcoran Art Gallery, Seventeenth st. 

Soldiers' National Cemetery Virginia «^^^ 5^^;^; 
mac river, opposite Georgetown ; reached via Long 
and Aqueduct bridges. ^, , . ^^,/i 

Soldiers' Home, reached ^^'^^^^^f l^-^^""^"i^ 

Howard Institution, Seventh st., beyond Boundary. 

MountVernon, seventeen miles down the river. Coaches 
leave the Hotels daily for Seventh-st. wharf m time 
to connect with steamer 



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